Book Description

The main focus of this dissertation is to develop a multispectral imaging system with spectral zooming capability and also successfully demonstrate its promising medical applications through combining this technique with microscope system. The realization of the multispectral imaging method in this dissertation is based on the 4-f spatial filtering principle. When a collimated light is dispersed by the grating, there exists a clear linear distribution spectral line or spectrum at the Fourier plane of the Fourier transform lens group base on the Abbe imaging theory and optics Fourier Transform principle. The optical images, not the collimated light, are applied into this setup and the spectrum distribution still keeps linear relationship with the spatial positions at Fourier plane, even through there exists additional spectral crosstalk or overlap. The spatial filter or dynamic electrical filters used at the Fourier plane will facilitate randomly access the desired spectral waveband and agilely adjust the passband width. It offers the multispectral imaging functionality with spectral zooming capability. The system is flexible and efficiency. A dual-channel spectral imaging system based on the multispectral imaging method and acousto-optical tunable filter (AOTF) is proposed in the dissertation. The multispectral imaging method and the AOTF will form spate imaging channels and the two spectral channels work together to enhance the system efficiency. The AOTF retro reflection design is explored in the dissertation and experimental results demonstrate this design could effectively improve the spectral resolution of the passband. Moreover, a field lens is introduced into the multispectral imaging system to enhance the field of view of the system detection range. The application of field lens also improves the system spectral resolution, image quality and minimizes the system size. This spectral imaging system can be used for many applications. The compact prototype multispectral imaging system has been built and many outdoor remote spectral imaging tests have been performed. The spectral imaging design has also been successfully applied into microscope imaging. The prototype multispectral microscopy system shows excellent capability for normal optical detection of medical specimen and fluorescent emission imaging/diagnosis. Experiment results have demonstrated this design could realize both spectral zoom and optical zoom at the same time. This design facilitates fast spectral waveband adjustment as well as increasing speed, flexibility, and reduced cost.